Hiroaki Azukizawa

First Japanese case report of atypical Spitz tumor with an ALK rearrangement

Dear Editor, Spitz neoplasms represent a group of melanocytic tumors that typically develop in children and adolescents. They are composed of cytologically distinct spindle and epithelioid melanocytes. Borderline cases that show overlapping features of Spitz nevus and spitzoid melanoma have been termed “atypical Spitz tumors” (AST) and, consequently, generate controversy with diagnosis and management.

First Japanese case of atypical Spitz tumor exhibiting ROS1 rearrangement

Dear Editor, Recent molecular genetic studies have evolved to the point that spitzoid neoplasms can now be classified according to their distinctive molecular/genetic alterations. Translocations involving the oncogenic kinase domains of ROS1, NTRK1, ALK, BRAF and RET genes occur across the spectrum of spitzoid neoplasms. A 44-year-old Japanese man developed a solitary small red papule (diameter, 6 mm) on the incisura intertragica of his right ear (Fig. 1a). The papule had been present for approximately

Anti-PL-12 antibody-positive antisynthetase syndrome with recurrent digital ulcers

1 Alavi A, Hafner J, Dutz JP et al. Livedoid vasculopathy: an in-depth analysis using a modified Delphi approach. J Am Acad Dermatol 2013; 69: 1033–1042. 2 Kerk N, Drabik A, Luger TA, Schneider SW, Goerge T. Rivaroxaban prevents painful cutaneous infarctions in livedoid vasculopathy. Br J Dermatol 2013; 168: 898–899. 3 Winchester DS, Drage LA, Davis MDP. Response of livedoid vasculopathy to rivaroxaban. Br J Dermatol 2015; 172: 1148–1150. 4 Yamaguchi Y, Nakazato S, Izumi K, Ieko M, Nomura T, Shimizu H. Rapid remission of severe pain from livedoid vasculopathy by apixaban. J Eur Acad Dermatology Venereol 2017; 31: e45–e46.

Preoperative assessment of tumour thickness and vascularity using high-frequency ultrasonography in ten cases of cutaneous melanoma

treatment with intralesional and systemic steroids. Moreover, the injection of triamcinolone into several nodular lesions resulted in side effects including dermal atrophy and hypopigmentation. The patient’s response to the oral dapsone treatment was clinically significant as it led to a considerable reduction of the lesions. When the patient selfdiscontinued the oral medication, she reported a re-growth of the tumorous lesions, which further suggests a continuous positive effect from dapsone on the maintenance course of the disease. A previous case report of CRD on a patient’s trunk also showed that treatment with 100 mg of oral dapsone daily was effective when taken continuously for three months [6]. The case suggests that dapsone is an effective therapy for CRD due to its anti-inflammatory activity. We reviewed the currently available literature and found only two cases of CRD cured by oral dapsone [6, 7]. Although the pathogenesis of CRD remains largely unknown, our finding confirms the effectiveness of oral dapsone to treat CRD on cosmetically sensitive anatomical areas.

EGFR inhibitory monoclonal antibodies and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors have distinct effects on the keratinocyte innate immune response

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are a well-established targeted therapy for several cancers. Two categories of EGFRIs are known, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) and EGFR monoclonal antibodies (EGFR mAbs). These EGFRIs frequently cause cutaneous adverse effects, such as papulo-pustular eruptions, xerosis and chronic paronychia. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) is associated with the severity of drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms/drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DRESS/DIHS)

Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms/drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DRESS/DIHS) is a severe adverse drug-induced reaction with reactivation of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6).1-3 We previously reported that serum thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) levels were markedly increased in patients with DIHS and suggested TARC as a useful diagnostic marker of DIHS in the early stage.4,5 In this study, we determined whether serum TARC levels correlate with the severity of clinical symptoms and laboratory data in patients with DRESS/DIHS. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.